Table top construction



Dec. 27, 1949 J. $TAN| z TABLE TOP. CONSTRUCTION Fil'd Feb. 7, 1945 Fig 7 3nventor Patented Dec. 27, 1949 2,492,541 TABLE TOP CONSTRUCTION Jacques Stanitz, Warren, Ohio,

assignor to Mullins Manufacturing Corporation," Salem, Ohio, a corporation of New York ApplicationFebruary 7, 1945, Serial No. 576,526

The invention relates to a table top and trim construction and more'particularly to the construction of a rigid, fiat, work surface, table, counter, platform, sink drainboard and the like, having a top covering of material such assheet linoleum, rubber, plastic, laminate and the like, and having a preferably-curved front nose and a coved rear splashback. I

Present day kitchens are equipped, in addition to a sink and a cabinet beneath the sink, with work tables, counters or platforms extending from one or both sides of the sink. These working surfaces may be formed integrally as apart of the sink drainboards, or may be the tops of various kinds of kitchen cabinets.

In either event, it is desired that the table tops be flat and relatively rigid, that they have a a working surface, facing or covering which is softer than metal, that they have a preferably curved front nosing and 'a coved splashback, and that the working surface, nose and splashback present a smooth, uninterruptedsurface free of ledges, shoulders, bumps or'cracks from front to rear.

Considerable difficulty has been experienced in forming such table tops. Many parts and much hand work and fitting have heretofore been required. Prior art constructions, in order to avoid bending linoleum around and cementing it to a curved nose or cove surface which is unsatis factory, have required a base member, a back member, separate linoleum strips for the base and back members, a nosing for the front of the base, another nosing for the top of the back, a cove piece, and hand fitting, cuttingand notching of the linoleum for forming flush joints'with the nosings and cove piece.

In prior art constructions usin wood for the base members. any warpin swelling or checking of the wood produces cracks inthe linoleum facing.

"In other words prior art table top constructions having rounded front edges and coved splashbacks involve many parts and considerable hand work and are consequently very expensive. Moreover, they are subject to failure, they have many joints, and they do not provide the desired degree of permanence. 1

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present d invention to provide a new table top construction for kitchensinks, cabinets and the like.

Moreover, it is an object of the present invemtion to eliminate many parts heretofore required in the manufacture or construction of table tops 3 Claims. (01. 311106) with soft working surface coverings and having rounded noses and coved splashbacks.

Also, it is an object of the present invention to eliminate hand work and numerous and expensive prior art operations and difficulties in the construction of such table tops.

Likewise, it is an object of the present invention to provide a table top construction in which a base member has secured thereto a flat,'top linoleum facing, a nosing member, and a combined cove and splash back member.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a table top construction in which a base member is used that may be fabricated as a simple sheet metal stamping.

,Also, it is an object of the present invention to provide a table top construction having a coved splashback inwhich linoleum is cemented in a simple manner only on a flat surface of the base of the table top and with a flush joint between the surfaces of the linoleum and coved splashback.

Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a table top construction in which a cove and splashback are combined as a single member secured to the base of the table top, and which coved splashback member may be readily fabricated, and varied in height to change the general appearance of the completed table top structure.

Likewise, it is an object of the present invention to provide a table top construction in which a front nosing member is used that may be readily fabricated, and varied in shape to change the general appearanceof the completed table top construction. a

. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to eliminate several joints heretofore present in the exposed surface of table top constructions including asplashback and a cove.

Also, it is an object of the present invention to eliminate cementing linoleum upon curved surfaces of a table top having a-covedsplashb-ack and rounded nose without involvingadditional joints in the completed structure.

1 Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention, to provide atable top construction in which a combined cove and splashback is secured rigidly to the top surface of the base of the table top.

Also, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new table top construction for kitchen sinks. cabinets and the like incorporating the foregoing desiderata which may be fabricated at a factory byproduction' methods to eliminate stallation difficulties and reduce costs.

forth in the following general statement,:a preferred embodiment of which-illustrative of the best mode in which the applicant has contemplated applying the principleis set forth in the following description and shown in the drawing, and which are particularly and distinctly pointed out andv set forth in the appended claims forming part hereof.

The nature of the improvements in table .top constructionmay be stated in general-termsias preferably. including'a stamped sheet metal base member having a flat top formed withrdepending flanges term-inatingin inturned flanges entirely around the peripheryof the flat top,,preferablya sheet metal reinforcing. channel member welded to the underside :of the-fiat top withinthe confines of the depending flanges, a softer covering such as linoleum in' sheet form cemented ,or bondedto-thefiat base top, the front and rear edges. of the linoleumsheet being-beveled, a channel shaped'nosingvmemberat the-front edge :of the base member having abeveled edge .o-niits upper flange lapping the, front beveled edge of the linoleum sheet, means securing the lower nosing flange to .aninturned flangev of the base member, an S-shaped spiash=back1memberiineluding a curved cove portion, an upwardly extending portion, and apreferably curved-top portion terminating in a downturned flange, the splash back member having abase'portion provided with a beveled edge, the beveled edge of the splashback member overlapping .the rear beveled edge of the linoleum sheet, means securing the base portion of the splash back member to the flat top of the base member, and bindermeans trimming the sid edges of the base member and linoleum facing.

By way of example, a preferred embodiment of ifthe. improved table top construction is illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming part hereof wherein:

Figure 1 is apperspective view of:a kitchen cabinet .unit-rprovided with the. improved table top construction;

Fig. 2 is a. perspective view of a base: member used in forming the improved table top construction;

Fig. 3 illustrates" the" step of cementing aflat linoleum'facing sheet to the-flat top of the base member of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 illustrates the partsofFig. 3 after the edges'of the'linoleum-facing have been cutto size;

'Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section looking in the direction of the arrows.5--5, Fig. 4;

Fig. v.6 is a similar section looking in the .direction of the arrows B--.5, Fig. 4;

Fig.7 is .a transverse section throughthe improved table top taken as on the line 1--'I, Fig.1; and

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 8-8, Fig. 1.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the various figures of the drawing.

A kitchen cabinet is indicated generally in Fig. 1 provided with the improved table top construction designated generally at I. Referring to Figs.

.7 and :8, the improved table top includes a sheet metal base member 2 having a fiat top portion 3 terminating at the side and rear edges in a downturned flange 4 and at the front edge in a preferably curved downturned flange 5. The flanges 4 and 5 preferably terminate in inturned flanges 6.

""Phusgthe's'heet-metal base member has a sub- -stantially box'form and is relatively rigid. Its "rigidity may however be increased by spot welding .or =otherwise securing a channel reinforcing member I to the underside of the flat top 3 within the confines of the depending and inturned flanges 4, 5 and 6. I

.-A flat: linoleum sheet: 8 is cemented to the top of the upper flat portion-of "the base 'member -2 and wthez front and rear edges of the linoleum sheet '8:ar e :beveledrrespectively as ate and). Thefnontofrthe base member 2 is provided with a nosing member H having achannel shape'and the .same'curyed contour as the contour of the depending base member flange '5. The edge of the 'upper'nosing flange i2 is "beveled-at i31to overlap the front beveled edge 9 of the: linoleum facing'il so as to firmly secure the front linoleum edge. Thelower; flange Mof-thenosing member I l a is secured by. any suitabl means, I preferably by bolts 15,- to'the inturned depending front base member flange 6.

for themember l6 and terminating in a :rear' downturned flange 23.

Generally .channel shaped members 24 may be provided along each longitudinal edge of the table .top to bi-ndand trim the base member-2 and linoleum facin B.

. In accordance with the present invention, each ofthemember-s from which the table top is con! structed may be readily fabricated using production methods and at the same time the .sizeas-to length and Width of the table top. ma bereadily changed and the general appearanceof the. front nosing and of the coved splash back may be varied without introducing difficulties in efiectivelysecuring the softer linoleum facing .to the base member.

Thus, the base member 2 is a simplesheetmetal stamping which may be readily fabricatedby production methods. The sheet metal channel memher 1 likewise is a simple part and the same may be readily spot welded to the base member 2.

The linoleum facing 8 has a sheet form and'is cemented flatwise to the-top fiat surface of the base member 2. Because no curved surface is involved in cementing the. linoleum to the base member, the operation canbe accomplished using heat or 'pressure or both ina single :press; if .de-

will not crack the linoleum by expansion of'the base member under normal conditions of use.

The nosing member H and splash back member It may be formed in a simple manner, each as an extruded metal section. Such parts may be brightly polished to present an attractive flnished appearance and may also be readily secured to the base member. In changing the length of the table top, it is only necessary to change the lengthof cut sections of the extruded members I l and I6. Likewise the trim members 24 are simple sheet metal stampings.

In manufacturing the improved table top, the base member 2 may be formed as a simple sheet steel stamping as illustrated in Fig. 2 and apertures 25 may be provided along the rear edge thereof for receiving the bolts IS. The reinforcing channel I may be welded to the underside of the flat top 3 of the base member 2. A sheet 8a of a softer covering material such as linoleum,

rubber, plastic, laminate, or the like is then cemented flatwise to the flat top 3' of the base member 2, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Since both members are flat when cementing the sheet 8a to the base member 2, conditions are ideal for obtaining a satisfactory and uniform bonded joint throughout.

A jig then may be laid upon the parts illustrated in Fig. 3 having tapered front and rear guide slots. A cutting blade may then be inserted in and moved along each guide slot to form the tapered front and rear edges 9 and ID for the linoleum facing 8, as illustrated in Fig. 4. Likewise, the side edges 26 of the linoleum sheet 8 may be out or trimmed with a knife or shear in a simple manner.

The nosing member ll may then be cut to length and bolted to the front edge of the base member 2 and the cove and splash back member I6 may be similarly cut to length and bolted to the rear of the base member 2. The side trim members 24 may then be secured in any desired manner to the side edges of the base member.

Thus, the completed structure has a facing-of material softer than metal and has a curved front nosing and a coved splash back with an uninterrupted working surface from front to rear with only two transverse joints, one between the linoleum and nosing and one between the linoleum and splash back, and no linoleum is cemented to a curved surface.

The improved construction avoids any hand fitting, notching, grooving, or routing of the linoleum for forming flush joints; and numerous difficulties and expensive operations heretofore involved in forming a table top with a coved splash back and a rounded nose are eliminated. Likewise all hand work is avoided in fabricating the improved table top construction as distinguished from normal production operations.

Accordingly, the present improvements provide a table top construction which is simple and relatively inexpensive and which accomplishes all of the foregoing objects and avoids the described prior art difliculties.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are utilized for descriptive purposes herein and not for the purpose of limitation, and are intended to broadly construed. Moreover the embodiment of the improved construction illustrated and described. is by way of example and-the scope of the present invention is not limited to exact details of construction of the various parts.

Likewise the construction is not limited to a table top for the kitchen cabinet illustrated because the table top construction may have any desired length and may serve as the drainboard for a sink which may be secured to the tabl top in any desired manner by forming a sink receivin aperture directly in the table top. Thus, a table top, platform, worktable, or the like, is included within the term table top as used herein. Moreover the-facing may be of linoleum, rubber, plastic, laminate'or other suitable relatively soft facing material; and the use of any such term includes all such terms.

Havin now described the features of the invention, the manufacture of a preferred embodiment of the improved table top construction, and the advantageous, new and useful results attained thereby; the new and useful devices, constructions, arrangements, combinations, subcombinations, parts and'elements, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof, obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a table top construction, a sheet metal base member having a flat top portion formed at its edges with a downturned flange terminating in an inturned flange, a flat sheet of softer material cemented to said flat sheet metal top portion, the front and rear edges of the flat sheet being beveled, a channel-shaped metal nosing member having upper and lower flanges telescoped over the front flanged edge of the base member, means securing the lower nosing flange to the inturned front base flange, the upper flange of the nosing member having a beveled edge. overlapping, engaging and securing the I front beveled edge of the flat sheet, an S-shaped metal coved splashback member having a base portion resting on the rear portion of the flat top portion of the base member beyond the rear edge of the flat sheet, means securing the base portion of the S-shaped member to the sheet metal base member; said S-shaped member having a curved cove portion extending upward from the base portion, an upright portion extending upward from said curved cove portion, and a curved top nose extending from said upright portion; and the base portion of the s-shaped member having a beveled edge overlapping, engaging and securing the rear beveled edge of th flat sheet.

2. In a table top construction, a sheet metal base member having a flat top portion formed at its edges with a downturned flange terminating in an inturned flange, a flat sheet of linoleum cemented to said flat sheet metal top portion, the front and rear edges of the linoleum sheet being beveled, a channel-shaped metal nosing member having upper and lower flanges telescoped over the front flanged edge of the base member, means securing the lower nosing flange to the inturned front base flange, the upper flange of the nosing member having a beveled edge overlapping, engaging and securing the front beveled edge of the linoleum sheet, an S-shaped metal coved splashback member having a base portion resting on the rear portion of the flat top poranaem a 7 tion- 90f the base member. beyond the: rearedge ofthefrlinoleum sheet, means'securin th base portion of the \S-shaped member :to the sheet metal base member; said s-shaped member hav- 5mg ;a eoncave curved cove .portion'iextending upward-from:-sa id base: portion, a Hate-surfaced upright portion extending upward iromgsa'id hove portion, and a convexcurved nos extending from said upright flat-surfaced portion; and the base portion of 'the- S-shaped member having a beveled edge overiapping'engaging and securing the rear beveled. edge of the linoleum sheet.

3..;In .a table top construction, a sheet-metal base member having a fiat top portion'formed at its edges with a downturned flange terminating inqan'intumed flange, a channelreinforcing member: secured to the-underside of theflat top portion within the confines of the downturned flanges, a -flat sheet of softer-material cemented to said fiat sheet metal top portiomthe front and rear edges of the flatsheet beingbeveled, a channelshaped-metal nosing member having upper and lower flanges telescoped over the front flanged edge of the base membenmeans securing the lower nosing flange to the inturned front base flange, the upper flange of the nosing member having -abeveled edge overlapping, engaging and=securingthe front beveled edge of the flat sheet, an fi-shaped'metal coved splashbaek mem+ ber having aibase portion resting ,on the rear per.- -tion i of the fiat top portion of the base member beyond the rear edge of the flat-sheet, meanssecuring the base portion of the S-shaped: member to'the sheet-metal-base member; said Seshaped member "having a curved cove portion extending upward-from the base portion, an uprightportion extending upward from said curved i cove portionyand acurved top nose extending from said upright, portion,-;and the base portionof the Seshaped member having a beveled edge overlapping, engaging and securing the rear beveled edge of-the flat-sheet.

JACQUES 'STANI'IZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record'in the file of this patent;

UNITED STATES PATENTS Lorraine June 30,1942 

